Healing large bone fractures using limb regeneration factors

In the frame of her postdoctoral research project "Soft connective tissue cells in axolotl bone healing", Anastasia Polikarpova seeks to identify cells and molecules that can promote regeneration in delayed bone fracture healing. Bone fractures are an increasing medical problem in an ageing society. Though most fractures heal within months, so-called critical size defects (CSD) - characterised by loss of a larger volume of bone tissue - present a serious challenge, with no effective treatment available. To understand which factors are important for bone healing, Polikarpova will use knowledge obtained from the Mexican salamander, axolotl. Like mammals, axolotls cannot heal CSD; however, they do have the ability to fully regenerate an amputated limb, including lost bones. Cells of the soft connective tissue (skin, muscle, tendons) make a substantial contribution to bone formation in regenerated limb. The project will investigate if these cells are able to migrate to the bone fracture region and how these cells could be activated in the process of large bone fracture healing.

No additional funding sources recorded.